Visiting the dentist for routine visits helps keep your teeth strong and healthy. However, you can take steps outside of our office to maintain the health and appearance of your smile. At Southern Dental Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR, our dentist encourages patients to seek out routine care but stresses the importance of at-home care as well. Read on to learn a few natural ways to strengthen your teeth!
- Consume Enough Calcium
- Get Enough Vitamin D
- Increase Your Water Intake
You’ve probably heard that cow’s milk contributes to strong teeth and bones. The key component of milk that strengthens your teeth is calcium. When you don’t have enough of this mineral, your teeth are weaker and more prone to decay. Calcium plays a key role in the remineralization process that your teeth go through constantly. Therefore, without it, your teeth lose their strength. If you don’t enjoy a glass of milk, you can still consume enough calcium through other foods to strengthen your teeth. For instance, salmon, sardines, kale, almonds, cabbage, tofu, and broccoli all contain calcium.
When the sun isn’t shining, make sure you choose foods and drinks fortified with vitamin D like cow’s milk, soy milk, orange juice, cereal, oatmeal, and cream of wheat. Salmon, tuna, and egg yolk are also rich in this nutrient. Your body requires it to absorb calcium properly. Plus, your teeth need it to remain strong. Generally, you should aim for 10 to 15 minutes of unprotected exposure from the sun each day to obtain vitamin D. After those minutes are up, it’s best to apply sunscreen to protect yourself from sunburn and skin cancer.
Do you drink enough water? According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, men need at least 15.5 cups or 3.7 liters a day and women need about 11.5 cups or 2.7 liters a day. However, your fluid needs will be increased with certain factors, such as diarrhea, sickness, increased sweating, exercise, and pregnancy. Your body requires water for proper functioning and to fight off infection. Additionally, adequate hydration is needed for the production of saliva. Your saliva aids in remineralization by depositing important minerals onto the crystalline mineral structure of your enamel and helps clear harmful bacteria from your mouth.
Strengthen Teeth with a Routine Checkup & Cleaning!
For additional help strengthening your teeth, schedule a routine checkup and cleaning at Southern Dental Fort Smith. We’d be thrilled to see you. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.
